Right to Information Wiki

The working reference for India's Right to Information Act, 2005.

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You are here: Right to Information Act, 2005 — India's Working Reference » Guides — Right to Information Act, 2005
Trace: • Section 21 — Protection of Action Taken in Good Faith • Section 26 — Appropriate Government to Prepare Programmes • Section 31 — Repeal • Section 25 — Monitoring and Reporting • Section 24 — Act Not to Apply to Certain Organisations • Section 23 — Bar of Jurisdiction of Courts • Section 30 — Power to Remove Difficulties • Section 29 — Laying of Rules • Section 22 — Act to Have Overriding Effect • Section 3 — Right to Information
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guide [2023/04/15 10:40] – Shrawanguide [2026/04/20 18:14] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-====== Right to Information Guide ====== +====== Guides — Right to Information Act, 2005 ======
-===== Complete Guide to Right to Information =====+
  
 +{{ :social:auto:guide.png?direct&1200 |guide — RTI Wiki}}
  
-{{:ibooks-icon.png?nolink |}} +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(RTI guides India, Right to Information guide, RTI guide for applicants, PIO guide, FAA guide, RTI filing guide, rti right to information india) 
-Welcome to the Guide Segment of RTI INDIA. Here you shall find all what is required to know about Right to Information in India. Contributed by our members and Activists, the Guide segment is an ever evolving place build on the platform of wiki. Below is the various categories of articles available to know about RTI.+metatag-description=(The hub of practical RTI guides on this site — one guide per role: citizen applicant, Public Information Officer, First Appellate Authority, and public authority. Current with DPDP 2025.)}}
  
-This Guide section contains articles on knowing about RTI, filing RTI to filing appeals under RTI. However, it may not be sufficient to just read the various Guide section. It is always a good idea to ask at our [[http://www.rtiindia.org|Forums]] for the help, or make a phone call / write email to our [[http://www.rtiindia.org/law/rti-activist-directory/|RTI Activist]]. Hope you find this section helpful.+//The hub of practical RTI guides on this site. One guide for each role under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — citizen applicant, Public Information Officer, First Appellate Authority, and public authority. For beginners, start with the FAQ or the online-filing walkthrough.//
  
 +<WRAP center round info 95%>
 +**In one line.** Pick the guide that matches your role. Each guide is short, current, and linked to the templates and case law you need in practice.
  
----- +**What that means in practice.** 
-<WRAP group> +  * New to RTI? Start with [[faq|the FAQ]] or [[file-rti-online-india|the online-filing guide]]. 
-<WRAP half column> +  * Officer handling an RTI? Go straight to the [[guide:guidelines-for-public-information-officer|PIO guide]]. 
-===== What is Right to Information Act ===== +  * Hearing an appeal? Use the [[guide:guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority|FAA guide]]. 
-[[guide:applicant:fundamental-facts-about-rti|{{::christmas-star-icon.png?nolink |What is Right to Information Act}}]]Right to Information empowers every citizen to seek any information from the Government, inspect any Government documents and seek certified photocopies or samples thereof. You must know the basics of the Act before you are able to file an RTI. We have narrated the basic details for you. [[guide:applicant:fundamental-facts-about-rti|Read More..!]] +</WRAP>
-===== Where I cannot get information from ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:application:where-you-cannot-apply-rti|{{::shop-closed-icon.png?nolink |Where I cannot get information from}}]] Act shall not apply to intelligence and security organisations specified in Second Schedule, being organisations established by the Central Government, provided that the information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human rights violations shall not be excluded. [[guide:applicant:application:where-you-cannot-apply-rti|Read More..!]] +
-===== How to locate Public Information Officer ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:application:how-to-locate-public-information-officer|{{::search-icon.png?nolink |How to locate Public Information Officer}}]]One of the important step in filing an RTI Application is to know exactly where to file and RTI. Even Central Information Commission (CIC)</abbr> has in catena of decisions pointed out that application must be filed at the correct office. Here are steps to find your Public Information Officer (PIO)</abbr>. [[guide:applicant:application:how-to-locate-public-information-officer|Read More..!]] +
-===== What is the procedure for inspection ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:application:procedure-for-inspection-under-rti|{{::microscope-red-icon.png?nolink |What is the procedure for inspection}}]]In cases where the information requested by the applicant is voluminous, he may be given a chance to see & inspect the documents and given copies of the requisite records by charging the prescribed fee. Here is the simple guide for the successful inspection of records. [[guide:applicant:application:procedure-for-inspection-under-rti|Read More..!]] +
-===== How to file 1st Appeal ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:first-appeal:faa|{{:folder-documents-icon.png?nolink |How to file 1st Appeal}}]]1st Appeal is the statutory remedy available to the RTI Applicant, when there is no response from the PIO within stipulated time limit or the decision of PIO is not satisfactory or the PIO offered / supplied incorrect / misleading information or demanded exorbitant further fee etc. [[guide:applicant:first-appeal|Read More..!]] +
-===== How to file Second Appeal ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:second-appeal|{{::action-configure-icon.png?nolink |How to file Second Appeal}}]]A second appeal against the decision of first Appellate Authority shall lie within ninety days, with the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission. You can use our [[2a:|second appeal generator]] or proceed to this link to read Do's and Don't for filing second appeal. [[guide:applicant:second-appeal|Read Here..!]]+
  
 +===== By role =====
  
 +==== For citizens (applicants) ====
  
-</WRAP>+  * **[[guide:applicant|Guide for applicants]]**. Who can file, what can be asked, how to draft, fee and timelines, the appeal path, and the penalty on the Officer. A short and current reference. 
 +  * **[[file-rti-online-india|How to File RTI Online in India — 2026 Step-by-Step Guide]]**. Ten steps through the Central Government portal with a ready-to-use English and Hindi template, the Rs 10 online fee flow, and the appeal path. 
 +  * **[[why-rti-gets-rejected|Why RTI Applications Get Rejected]]**. The five drafting mistakes that cause most refusals, with a bad-versus-good fix for each and two case studies of rejected RTIs corrected on appeal. 
 +  * **[[rtionline-gov-in|Navigating rtionline.gov.in — the Central Government portal]]**. The portal itself, screen by screen, for first-time users. 
 +  * **[[state-vs-central-rti|State RTI vs Central RTI]]**. Which jurisdiction applies, where to file, the fee and appellate differences, worked examples.
  
-<WRAP half column> +==== For Public Information Officers ====
-===== Who Can seek information under RTI ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:application:who-can-ask-information-rti|{{::man-icon.png?nolink |Who Can seek information under RTI}}]] Any citizen can ask for information under this law.The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. OCI's (Overseas Citizens of India) and PIO's (Persons of Indian Origin) card holders can also ask for information under the RTI Act. [[guide:applicant:application:who-can-ask-information-rti|Read More..!]] +
-===== How to fill RTI Application form ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:application:how-fill-rti-application-form|{{::freeform-pen-tool-icon.png?nolink |How to fill RTI Application form}}]] Any RTI Application, to start with, requires a subject on which to write an RTI request. The RTI application must be on Application Format prescribed under the RTI Rules applicable to the concerned public authority. There are simple Guidelines to follow.[[guide:applicant:application:how-fill-rti-application-form|Read More..!]] +
-===== Sample RTI Application forms ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:application:sample:|{{::objects-icon.png?nolink |Sample RTI Application forms}}]]This is one of our popular section. These are the sample RTI requests, seeking information. These RTI requests have been attempted by us to form a standard sample RTI application. You must add /delete/ modify questions based upon your needs. [[guide:applicant:application:sample:|Read here..!]] +
-===== Time Limits prescribed under RTI ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:time-limit-under-rti|{{::time-icon.png?nolink |Time Limits prescribed under RTI}}]]RTI Act prescribed time limits. This include time limit for providing information, time for transfer of application, time for filing RTI appeal, time for deciding first appeal, time for reply when third party is involved etc. Knowing this information will be vital for timely action and successful filing under RTI. [[guide:applicant:time-limit-under-rti|Read here!!]] +
-===== What are the Penal provisions ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:application:penality-provisions-pio|{{::coin-icon.png?nolink |What are the Penal provisions}}]] +
-The penalty cab be imposed by commission on refusal to receive an application, not furnishing the requested information within 30 days of receiving the application, Malafidely denying the request for information, Knowingly given incorrect, incomplete or misleading information. [[guide:applicant:application:penality-provisions-pio|Read More..!]] +
-===== How to file a complaint ===== +
-[[guide:applicant:second-appeal:complaint|{{::red-matreshka-inside-icon-icon.png?nolink |How to file a complaint}}]]When an applicant do not receive a decision on his RTI Request within 30 days or is aggrieved by the decision, applicant can prefer an Appeal under Section-19(1) and further appeal under section-19(3) before the Information Commission within time limit. [[guide:applicant:second-appeal:complaint|Read More..!]] +
-</WRAP> +
-</WRAP>+
  
----- +  * **[[guide:guidelines-for-public-information-officer|Guide for PIOs]]**. Your duties under Section 5, the five-question test for every request, third-party procedure under Section 11, the penalty under Section 20, and a standard file-noting structure. 
-<WRAP group> +  * **[[blog:pio-reply-section-8-1-j-after-dpdp-2025|PIO reply after DPDP Rules, 2025]]**. The revised Section 8(1)(j) test, sample reply paragraphs, and the audit trail the First Appellate Authority will expect. 
-<WRAP half column> +  * **[[templates:pio-reply-standard|Template: standard PIO reply]]**. Ready-to-use. 
-===== Guide for Public Information Officer ===== +  * **[[templates:pio-reply-partial-denial|Template: PIO partial disclosure with severability]]**. 
-[[guide:guidelines-for-public-information-officer|{{::asian-boss-icon.png?nolink |Guide for Public Information Officer}}]]The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of a public authority plays a pivotal role in making the right of a citizen to information a reality. The Act casts specific duties on him and makes him liable for penalty in case of default. [[guide:guidelines-for-public-information-officer|Read More..!]] +  * **[[templates:pio-third-party-notice|Template: third party notice under Section 11]]**.
-</WRAP>+
  
-<WRAP half column> +==== For First Appellate Authorities ==== 
-===== Guide for First Appellate Authority ===== + 
-[[guide:guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority|{{::old-boss-icon.png?nolink |Guide for First Appellate Authority}}]]Deciding appeals under the RTI Act is a quasi-judicial function. It is, therefore, necessary that the appellate authority should see to it that the justice is not only done but it should also appear to have been done. [[guide:guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority|Read More..!]] +  * **[[guide:guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority|Guide for FAAs]]**. Your duty under Section 19(1), how to structure a speaking order, the thirty-day (extendable to forty-five) timeline, when to invoke Section 8(2). 
-</WRAP> +  * **[[templates:faa-speaking-order|Template: FAA speaking order]]**. Ready format with severability and public-interest-override clauses. 
-</WRAP> + 
-~~socialite~~ +==== For public authorities ==== 
------ + 
-~~NOTOC~~+  * **[[guide:guidelines-for-public-authority|Guide for public authorities]]**. Section 4(1)(b) suo motu disclosure duties, record-management for RTI readiness, institutional liability under Section 20, and the annual RTI return to the Information Commission. 
 + 
 +===== Foundational concepts ===== 
 + 
 +Short concept notes — each two to four minutes to read: 
 + 
 +  * **[[:act|The Right to Information Act, 2005 — full text, as amended]]**. 
 +  * **[[act:summary|RTI Act, 2005 — section-by-section summary]]**. 
 +  * **[[guide:applicant:fundamental-facts-about-rti|What is Right to Information — the basics]]**. 
 +  * **[[faq|FAQ — twenty-five most asked questions]]**. 
 +  * **[[explanations:grounds-for-rejection|Grounds for rejection — Section 8]]**. 
 +  * **[[explanations:public-authority|What is a "public authority"]]**. 
 +  * **[[explanations:public-interest|What is "public interest"]]**. 
 +  * **[[explanations:third-party|Third party under RTI — Section 11]]**. 
 + 
 +===== Current developments ===== 
 + 
 +  * **[[blog:dpdp-rules-2025-amendment-to-rti-act|DPDP Rules, 2025 — the amendment to Section 8(1)(j)]]**. 
 +  * **[[blog:rti-act-decade-of-change-2015-2025|A decade of change, 2015 to 2025]]**. 
 +  * **[[blog:start|Editorial blog — all posts]]**. 
 + 
 +===== Templates and samples ===== 
 + 
 +  * **[[templates:start|Templates — first RTI, first appeal, second appeal, PIO replies, FAA speaking order]]**. 
 +  * **[[guide:applicant:application:sample:start|Sample RTI applications — thirty-plus drafts for common subjects]]**. 
 + 
 +===== Case law ===== 
 + 
 +  * **[[important-decisions:start|Case law library — landmark decisions grouped by section]]**. 
 +  * **[[important-decisions:court|High Court decisions]]**. 
 +  * **[[important-decisions:cic-case-laws|Central Information Commission orders]]**. 
 + 
 +===== Sources ===== 
 + 
 +  - The Right to Information Act, 2005 (No. 22 of 2005), Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20. 
 +  - The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, notified 14 November 2025. 
 + 
 +===== Last reviewed on ===== 
 + 
 +19 April 2026 
 + 
 +{{tag>rti guide guides-hub applicant pio faa public-authority dpdp-2025 2026}}
  
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